Afghan women gather to protest their right to education in a house in Mazar-i-Sharif

CHURCH

Caritas appeals for solidarity for Afghanistan and for its women

“Women are not even allowed to study. Young girls are not allowed to go to secondary school. This means they do not have their basic human rights,” says Oliver Müller, International Director of Caritas Germany, just back from the nation where the Islamist Taliban government allows Catholic organizations to provide humanitarian aid.

By Mario Galgano and Fr Paweł Rytel-Andrianik

On the eve of International Women's Day, marked annually on 8 March, we shine the light on the plight of women in Afghanistan who are banned from attending University and girls are not allowed to go to secondary school.

Oliver Müller, International Director of Caritas Germany has just returned from Afghanistan, where, as a Catholic organisation, his team is allowed by the Taliban government, ton provide humanitarian aid.

In an interview with Vatican Radio he said Afghan women are deprived of their basic human rights.

Listen to an excerpt of the interview with Oliver Muller

Müller points out that Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries, with 28 million inhabitants dependent on outside aid. The present situation of the people, he says, calls for immediate assistance.

At the same time, the Afghan authorities have declared that women are no longer allowed to work in humanitarian aid.

“There's no doubt about it: we can't work without women.”

"And to see how it can be done was now the content of my visit here,” stresses Müller after his visit to Afghanistan.

He underlines that according to an international study, Afghanistan is the world's worst place for girls and women. Women are banned from public life to a great extent.

“In Kabul, they are still allowed to go on the streets to do some shopping. But in several cities all over the country, they are not even allowed to leave their homes without a male person from their family.”

The International Director of Caritas Germany makes a heartfelt appeal: “Afghanistan deserves our solidarity and our help. We should do everything so that Afghanistan will not be a forgotten crisis, even if there are other conflicts closer to Europe that may be more relevant for Europe. Afghanistan is one of the most vulnerable and poorest countries in the world. And for this reason, we will continue and stay here”.

Caritas Germany has been present in Afghanistan since 1984. It provides help to millions of people through various humanitarian projects.